Unicorns are real: Tech baffles Indonesian candidate

Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto walks during a televised debate in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Indonesia is gearing up to hold its presidential election on April 17 that will pit in the incumbent against the former general. (AP Photo / Achmad Ibrahim)

Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Indonesia is gearing up to hold its presidential election on April 17 that will pit in the incumbent against the former general.(AP Photo / Achmad Ibrahim)

Officers stand guard at the site where an explosion that police said came from a firecracker, near the venue of the presidential candidates debate in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Indonesia is gearing up to hold its presidential election on April 17 that will pit in the incumbent against the former general.(AP Photo / Achmad Ibrahim)

Officers stand guard at the site where an explosion that police said came from a firecracker, near the venue of the presidential candidates debate in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Indonesia is gearing up to hold its presidential election on April 17 that will pit in the incumbent against the former general.(AP Photo / Achmad Ibrahim)

Indonesian presidential candidate Joko Widodo, left, deliver his speech and his contender Prabowo Subianto, right, listen during a televised debate in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Indonesia is gearing up to hold its presidential election on April 17 that will pit in the incumbent against the former general. (AP Photo / Achmad Ibrahim)

Officers stand guard near the venue of the presidential candidates debate in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Indonesia is gearing up to hold its presidential election on April 17 that will pit in the incumbent against the former general.(AP Photo / Achmad Ibrahim)

Members of bomb squad examine the site where an explosion that police said came from a firecracker, near the venue of the presidential candidates debate in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Indonesia is gearing up to hold its presidential election on April 17 that will pit in the incumbent against the former general.(AP Photo / Achmad Ibrahim)

Indonesian presidential candidate Joko Widodo walks during a televised debate in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Indonesia is gearing up to hold its presidential election on April 17 that will pit in the incumbent against the former general.(AP Photo / Achmad Ibrahim)

Indonesian presidential candidate Joko Widodo delivers his speech during a televised debate in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Indonesia is gearing up to hold its presidential election on April 17 that will pit in the incumbent against the former general. (AP Photo / Achmad Ibrahim)

Officers stand guard at the site where an explosion that police said came from a firecracker, near the venue of the presidential candidates debate in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. Indonesia is gearing up to hold its presidential election on April 17 that will pit in the incumbent against the former general.(AP Photo / Achmad Ibrahim)

When President Joko Widodo, who is seeking a second term, asked challenger Prabowo Subianto about his policies for supporting unicorns — tech start-up companies worth at least $1 billion — a look of bafflement passed across the former general's face.

Wondering aloud, he replied: "What are unicorns? You mean those online things?" Widodo sagely nodded in the affirmative before Subianto explained he supports online businesses.

Subianto was probably not alone in his ignorance, but Widodo supporters on social media gleefully seized on Sunday night's exchange as proof of Subianto's lack of qualification to be president.

Indonesia has several unicorns and they are transforming areas of the national economy such as transport and shopping.